Summary:
Zip code 32569, serving the Mary Esther, FL area, is home to two elementary schools, Florosa Elementary School and Mary Esther Elementary School, both part of the highly-rated Okaloosa School District.
The most notable finding is the stark performance gap between these two schools, despite similar per-student spending and student-teacher ratios. Florosa Elementary School is a standout, consistently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 20% of Florida elementary schools. It exceeds district and state averages in every subject, with particularly strong early-grade performance—85% proficiency in 3rd grade math and 78% in 3rd grade ELA. In contrast, Mary Esther Elementary School is on a sharp downward trajectory, dropping from a 3-star to a 1-star rating over three years. Its proficiency rates are well below district and state averages, with only 33% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA and 47% in 5th grade math. The free/reduced lunch rate is higher at Mary Esther (73.29%) compared to Florosa (56.4%), a factor often linked to academic challenges.
Chronic absenteeism is a shared concern, with both schools below the state average but Mary Esther's rate (20%) being more critical given its low performance. For parents, the choice is clear: Florosa Elementary School offers a proven, high-quality education with consistent excellence, while Mary Esther Elementary School faces significant hurdles that require close attention. The Okaloosa School District overall is strong, ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide, but the disparity within this single zip code highlights how school-level factors can dramatically impact student outcomes.
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